Method and system for providing shipment tracking and notifications

ABSTRACT

Improved approaches for monitoring status of articles being shipped are disclosed. The monitoring can produce notifications to interested parties. The notifications typically contain status information pertaining to the articles being shipped. Alternatively, interested parties can gain access to status information pertaining to the articles being shipped via a website. According to one embodiment, the status information includes at least position (location) information and shipping conditions information.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a Continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.11/732,581, filed Apr. 3, 2007, which application is a Continuation ofU.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/397,637, filed Mar. 26, 2003, andentitled, “METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR PROVIDING SHIPMENT TRACKING ANDNOTIFICATIONS,” which is a Continuation-In-Part of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 09/797,517, filed Feb. 28, 2001, and entitled“METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR LOCATION TRACKING,” which is hereby incorporatedherein by reference, and which claims the benefit of U.S. ProvisionalPatent Application No. 60/185,480, filed Feb. 28, 2000, and entitled“METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR LOCATION TRACKING,” which is hereby incorporatedherein by reference.

By way of prior U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/397,637, thisapplication also claims benefit of: (i) U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 60/444,198, filed Jan. 30, 2003, and entitled “SYSTEM,METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ACQUIRING, PRESENTING, MONITORING, DELIVERING,MANAGING AND USING STATUS INFORMATION,” which is hereby incorporatedherein by reference; (ii) U.S. Provisional Patent Application No.60/418,491, filed Oct. 15, 2002, and entitled “SYSTEM, METHOD ANDAPPARATUS FOR ACQUIRING, PRESENTING, MONITORING, DELIVERING, MANAGINGAND USING STATUS INFORMATION,” which is hereby incorporated herein byreference; (iii) U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/404,645,filed Aug. 19, 2002, and entitled “SYSTEM, METHOD AND APPARATUS FORACQUIRING, PRESENTING, MONITORING, DELIVERING, MANAGING AND USINGPOSITION AND OTHER INFORMATION,” which is hereby incorporated herein byreference; and (iv) U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/375,998,filed Apr. 24, 2002, and entitled “SYSTEM, METHOD AND APPARATUS FORACQUIRING, PRESENTING, MANAGING AND USING POSITION INFORMATION,” whichis hereby incorporated herein by reference.

This application is also related to: (i) U.S. patent application Ser.No. 10/397,473, filed Mar. 26, 2003, and entitled “METHOD AND APPARATUSFOR INTELLIGENT ACQUISITION OF POSITION INFORMATION,” now U.S. Pat. No.6,975,941; (ii) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/397,472, filed Mar.26, 2003, and entitled “Methods and Apparatus to Analyze and PresentLocation Information;” (iii) U.S. patent application Ser. No.10/397,641, filed Mar. 26, 2003, and entitled “METHOD AND SYSTEM FORPERSONALIZED MEDICAL MONITORING AND NOTIFICATIONS THEREFOR;” (iv) U.S.patent application Ser. No. 10/397,640, filed Mar. 26, 2003, andentitled “INEXPENSIVE POSITION SENSING DEVICE;” (v) U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 10/397,474, filed Mar. 26, 2003, and entitled“METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR ENHANCED MESSAGING;” (vi) U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 10/397,512, filed Mar. 26, 2003, and entitled “Applications ofSTATUS Information for Inventory Management.”

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to shipment of objects and, moreparticularly, to monitoring objects during shipment.

2. Description of the Related Art

Objects are regularly shipped from a sender to a recipient. The objectscan be packages, containers or boxes, or items within packages,containers or boxes. However, for the most part, once an object leavesthe sender and enters a shipping channel, the sender and recipient havelittle or no knowledge about the shipments.

Recently, shipping companies, such as Federal Express, have enabledusers to track shipments using tracking numbers uniquely assigned to theobjects being shipped. A user can access the FedEx.com website andretrieve tracking information about a particular package or can arrangeto have such tracking information emailed to a particular email address.The tracking information can include such information as shipment date,delivery location, delivery date/time, person acknowledging receipt, andscan activity. The scan activity provides a listing of each of thelocations (and date and time) during the shipment where the package wasscanned. Even more recently, FedEx introduced a Web-based business tool,referred to as FedEx InSight, to help businesses manage their shippingactivities. FedEx InSight is advertised as facilitating: (i) trackinginbound, outbound and third-party payor shipments; (ii) providingnotifications of critical shipping events via electronic mail,facsimile, Internet or wireless means; (iii) providing status summariesof international and domestic shipments on one report; and (iv) helpingto pinpoint customs delays and delivery attempts and then suggestingways to expedite delivery.

Notwithstanding the recent advances in tracking shipments, there stillexists various problems that lead to lack of understanding of shipmentsactivity and conditions. When scanning of packages at various locationsduring a route of shipment is used to tracking location, personnel mustmanually perform such scanning. Further, the location of packages isonly known at the time that the packages are scanned at certainlocations (scanning locations). In shipping a package, there is a needto have more precise and robust knowledge of the position and conditionof the package throughout the shipping process.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Broadly speaking, the invention relates to improved approaches formonitoring status of articles being shipped. The monitoring can producenotifications to interested parties. The notifications typically containstatus information pertaining to the articles being shipped.Alternatively, interested parties can gain access to status informationpertaining to the articles being shipped via a website. According to oneembodiment, the status information includes at least position (location)information and shipping conditions information.

The invention can be implemented in numerous ways including, a method,system, device, graphical user interface, and a computer readablemedium. Several embodiments of the invention are discussed below.

As a system for tracking shipment of articles, one embodiment can, forexample, include at least a tracking database configured to store statusinformation pertaining to a plurality of wireless tracking devices, anda tracking computing device. The tracking computing device beingconfigured to: (i) receive certain status information from a wirelesstracking device used to track shipment of an article, the wirelesstracking device being within or affixed to the article and being capableof wirelessly sending the certain status information to the trackingcomputing device; (ii) store the certain status information to thetracking database with reference to the wireless tracking device; (iii)determine if an environmental violation has occurred based on thecertain status information and at least one environmental level; (iv)send an electronic notification regarding the environmental violation toan interested person upon determining that the environmental violationhas occurred; and (v) facilitate network-based access to the trackingcomputing device to enable interested persons to receive at least aportion of the certain status information regarding the article.

As a method for tracking shipment of articles using wireless trackingdevices provided within or affixed to the respective articles, oneembodiment can, for example, include at least: accessing statusinformation pertaining to a wireless tracking device used to trackshipment of an article, the status information including at leastposition information and shipping condition information; determining ifa shipping condition violation has occurred during shipment of thearticle based on at least the shipping condition information and atleast one shipping condition level; sending an electronic notificationregarding the shipping condition violation to an interested person if itis determined that the shipping condition violation has occurred duringshipment; and facilitating network-based access to enable interestedpersons to receive at least a portion of the status informationregarding the article.

As a computer-implemented method for operating a tracking computer totrack articles in a geographic region, the tracking computer having adata storage device associated therewith, one embodiment can, forexample, include at least: receiving location information regarding alocation of an article acquired by a mobile communication device in orattached to the article; receiving, from the mobile communicationdevice, business information regarding a business associated with thelocation based on wireless communication between the mobilecommunication device and a wireless device at the business; and storingthe location information and the business information in the datastorage device associated with the tracking computer. The mobilecommunication device can be configured to be wirelessly coupled to awireless network to send the location information and the businessinformation to the tracking computer.

Other aspects and advantages of the invention will become apparent fromthe following detailed description taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings which illustrate, by way of example, theprinciples of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be readily understood by the following detaileddescription in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein likereference numerals designate like structural elements, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an article shipment notification systemaccording to one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a flow diagram of article shipment notification processingaccording to one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3 is a flow diagram of notification message processing according toone embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4 is a flow diagram of requested notification processing accordingto one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 5 is a flow diagram of email status processing according to oneembodiment of the invention.

FIG. 6 is a representative notification setup screen according to oneembodiment of the invention.

FIG. 7 is a flow diagram of insurance compliance processing according toone embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 8 is a flow diagram of refund processing according to oneembodiment of the invention.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram of an object tracking system according to oneembodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to improved approaches for monitoring status ofarticles being shipped. The monitoring can produce notifications tointerested parties. The notifications typically contain statusinformation pertaining to the articles being shipped. Alternatively,interested parties can gain access to status information pertaining tothe articles being shipped via a website. According to one embodiment,the status information includes at least position (location) informationand shipping conditions information.

In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth inorder to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention.However, it will become obvious to those skilled in the art that theinvention may be practiced without these specific details. Thedescription and representation herein are the common meanings used bythose experienced or skilled in the art to most effectively convey thesubstance of their work to others skilled in the art. In otherinstances, well-known methods, procedures, components, and circuitryhave not been described in detail to avoid unnecessarily obscuringaspects of the present invention.

Reference herein to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” means that aparticular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connectionwith the embodiment can be included in at least one embodiment of theinvention. The appearances of the phrase “in one embodiment” in variousplaces in the specification are not necessarily all referring to thesame embodiment, nor are separate or alternative embodiments mutuallyexclusive of other embodiments. Further, the order of blocks in processflowcharts or diagrams representing one or more embodiments of theinvention do not inherently indicate any particular order nor imply anylimitations in the invention.

Embodiments of this aspect of the invention are discussed below withreference to FIGS. 1-9. However, those skilled in the art will readilyappreciate that the detailed description given herein with respect tothese figures is for explanatory purposes as the invention extendsbeyond these limited embodiments.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an article shipment notification system 100according to one embodiment of the invention. The article shipmentnotification system 100 provides web-based article shipment managementcapable of not only tracking the shipment of articles but also providingnotifications to users of the system.

The article shipment notification system 100 includes a shipper 102 anda recipient 104. Typically, the article shipment notification system 100would support multiple shippers and multiple recipients. However, in theembodiment shown in FIG. 1, only the shipper 102 and the recipient 104are illustrated. It is assumed that an article is being shipped by theshipper 102 to the recipient 104. A shipper is a person, entity orassociated computing device that is responsible for or associated withshipping an article, and a recipient is a person, entity or associatedcomputing device to which the article is being shipped.

In order to track the location and shipping conditions of the articlebeing shipped from the shipper 102 to the recipient 104, a trackingdevice (TD1) 106 is provided within or attached to the article beingshipped. Additionally, a second tracking device (TD2) 108 is alsoillustrated in FIG. 1 which could be used to track another article. Thefirst tracking device 106 and the second tracking device 108 are coupledto a wireless network 110. In general, the article shipment notificationsystem 100 supports many different tracking devices. Typically, for eacharticle being tracked, the article shipment notification system 100would use a separate tracking device.

The wireless network 110 is coupled to the Internet 112. Further, atracking server 114 is coupled to the Internet 112. The tracking server114 also couples to a tracking database 116. The Internet 112 can bereplaced by other data networks (e.g., enterprise network, regionalnetwork, Local Area Network, or Wide Area Network).

While an article is being shipped from the shipper 102 to the recipient104, the first tracking device 106 gathers status information associatedwith the article. The status information includes at least position(location) information and/or shipping conditions information. Theposition information is obtained typically from a global positioningsystem (GPS) receiver within the first tracking device 106. The positioninformation can be obtained or augmented by a local positioning systemsuch as utilized with a local network (e.g., Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, etc.).The shipping conditions information pertains to conditions of orsurrounding an article during its shipment. The shipping conditionsinformation can vary with application. Examples of shipping conditionsthat can be provided within shipping conditions information include oneor more of vibration, acceleration, speed, or direction of travel of, orforce or pressure on, the article. Other examples of shipping conditionsthat can be provided within shipping conditions information include oneor more of temperature, humidity, pressure, gaseous or liquid states,chemical compositions, wind speed, color composition, scent, light,sound, smoke, particle or radiation (e.g., infrared radiation).

The status information that is obtained by the first tracking device 106is sent by the first tracking device 106 to the tracking server 114 viathe wireless network 110 and the Internet 112. The tracking server 114stores the status information pertaining to the first tracking device106 into the tracking database 116 such that it is associated with theparticular article being shipped. The tracking server 114 tracks theshipment of various articles, and thus stores status informationpertaining to the particular articles being shipped.

As the article is being shipped, the tracking server 114 can alsomonitor the status information associated with the first tracking device106 (as well as other tracking devices used with the article shipmentnotification system 100). The tracking server 114 can produce and sendvarious notifications to shippers and/or recipients of articles beingshipped using the article shipment notification system 100. Moreparticularly, the tracking server 114 can monitor the status informationprovided by the first tracking device 106 and determine whether and whento send notifications to either the shipper 102 or the recipient 104, orboth.

In one embodiment, the shipper 102 and/or the recipient 104 can providenotification criteria to the tracking server 114. The shipper 102 andthe recipient 104 are coupled to the Internet 112 and thus can supplynotification criteria to the tracking server 114 (as well as receivenotifications from the tracking server 114). The notification criteriacan specify the channel, timing and nature of the notifications to bereceived. The notification messages can be transmitted through differentchannels, such as electronic mail, text message (e.g., page, instantmessage, etc.), voice call, and facsimile. The timing, for example, canbe periodic (e.g., daily) or on events or conditions. The nature of thenotification messages can vary based on circumstances and/or userpreferences. For example, the user might only desire urgent messages andnot messages of lesser priorities. As another example, the user mightwant to receive messages in an abbreviated format as opposed to adetailed format. As still another example, the user might want toreceive warning messages or messages indicating that corrective actionis suggested, but opt not to receive regular status messages. In oneembodiment, the notification criteria can also be considered userconfiguration data.

The article shipment notification system 100 can allow the shipper 102and the recipient 104 to interact with the tracking server 114 through aweb interface so that such users are able to configure or set-up toreceive certain notifications. The web interface can facilitate a userin arranging to receive notifications by indicating notificationcriteria. For example, through use of the web interface, a user can makeuser selections to indicate the notifications to be received and whereand by what channels the notifications are to be provided.

The article shipment notification system 100 can provide variousdifferent notifications to interested users, such as the shipper 102 andthe recipient 104. For example, the shipper 102 might receive anotification that the article shipment has been delayed, a notificationthat the article has been delivered (arrived at the destination), anotification that shipping conditions violations have occurred, or anotification of the position of the article. For example, the recipient104 might receive notifications such as a notification that an articlehas been shipped identifying the recipient as the person or entityreceiving the article, a notification that an article being shipped tothe recipient is nearby, and a notification that an article will bedelivered to the recipient shortly (optionally including an estimateddelivery time), a notification of shipping conditions violations, or anotification of the position of the article.

The article shipment notification system 100 can also include at leastone third-party 118. The third-party 118 is a user interested in theshipment of the article other than the shipper 102 or the recipient 104.The article shipment notification system 100 can operate (or beconfigured to operate) to provide certain notifications to thethird-party 118. The above-mentioned web interface can be used toconfigure or set-up such notifications. As examples, the third-party 118can represent a shipping entity, an insurance company, a managementorganization, a financial organization, etc.

In one embodiment, the notifications can have different levels. Thelevel of a notification can depend on security clearance, authorization,ranks within companies, or the recipient. For example, a notificationdirected to an insurance company might contain all available statusinformation. In another example, a notification directed to a recipientof the article might only contain selected types/portions of statusinformation (e.g., time of arrival but not humidity information).

The notification can be initiated by a server, such as the trackingserver 104, or on-demand by a requestor (e.g., interested user).

FIG. 2 is a flow diagram of article shipment notification processing 200according to one embodiment of the invention. The article shipmentnotification processing 200 can, for example, be performed by a servermachine, such as the tracking server 114 illustrated in FIG. 1.

The article shipment notification processing 200 receives 201 statusinformation for an article from a mobile communication device. Here, themobile communication device transmits the status information for thearticle that is associated with (e.g., coupled to or encloses) themobile communication device. The status information that is beingtransmitted is received at the server by way of a wireless and/or wirednetwork. Next, the status information is stored 202 to a trackingdatabase. The tracking database allows the status information for thearticle to be organized for subsequent evaluation. The article shipmentnotification processing 200 then determines 204 whether a notificationcondition exists based on the status information and notificationcriteria. The status information for the article was received from thecorresponding mobile communication device and stored in the trackingdatabase as noted above. The notification criteria can be either defaultnotification criteria or user-specified notification criteria. In anycase, the status information and the notification criteria are utilizedto determine whether a notification condition exists. Thereafter, anotification message is produced 206 when the notification conditionexists. After the notification message is produced 206 the notificationmessage is sent 208 to an interested user. The manner by which thenotification message is sent 208 can vary depending upon the nature ofthe notification message, the capabilities of the communication systembeing used, the preferences of the interested user, and the like. Afterthe notification message has been sent 208, the article shipmentnotification processing 200 is complete and ends.

FIG. 3 is a flow diagram of notification message processing 300according to one embodiment of the invention. The notification messageprocessing 300 can, for example, represent a more detailedimplementation for the operations 206 and 208 illustrated in FIG. 2.

The notification message processing 300 assumes that the notificationsystem supports the various types of notifications and distinguishesthose notifications based on the existence of particular notificationconditions. More specifically, the notification conditions beingprocessed by the notification message processing 300 include, forexample, notification conditions pertaining to a new shipment, aposition update, an environmental violation, and a delivery status.

The notification message processing 300 begins with a decision 302 thatdetermines whether a new shipment notification condition exists. As anexample, a new shipment notification condition is a notificationcondition that is used to indicate that a new shipment is or has beensent. The new shipment notification condition might notify a recipientthat an article was shipped to them on a particular date, from aparticular person, and possible also indicate the approximate arrivaldate and/or time. Still further, in one embodiment, the new shipmentnotification message can include a link (e.g., hyperlink) to a serverlocation wherein notifications can be arranged. When the decision 302determines that a new shipment notification condition does exist, then anew shipment notification is produced and sent 304. Alternatively, whenthe decision 302 determines that a new shipment notification conditiondoes not exist, then a decision 306 determines whether a position updatenotification condition exists. When the decision 306 determines that aposition update notification condition exists, then a positionnotification message is produced and sent 308. On the other hand, whenthe decision 306 determines that a position update notificationcondition does not exist, then a decision 310 determines whether anenvironmental violation notification condition exists. When the decision310 determines that an environmental violation notification conditiondoes exist, then an environmental notification message is produced andsent 312. As an example, an environmental notification message informsthe recipient of the message that one or more environmental violationnotification conditions have been violated. For example, theenvironmental notification message might indicate that the temperatureof the article has exceeded a desired limit, that the humidity hasexceeded a desired limit, or that the article has undergone excessiveforces. Alternatively, when the decision 310 determines that anenvironmental violation notification condition does not exist, then adecision 314 determines whether a delivery notification conditionexists. When the decision 314 determines that a delivery notificationcondition does exist, then a delivery notification message is producedand sent 316. On the other hand, when the decision 314 determines that adelivery notification condition does not exist, then as well asfollowing the operation 316, a notification message processing 300 iscomplete and ends.

It should be noted that the notification message processing can send oneor more notifications to an interested user at any point in time.Additionally, the multiple notifications can be combined into a singlenotification. Further, additional notification conditions beyond thosediscussed with respect to the notification message processing 300 shownin FIG. 3 can also be utilized and processed in a similar manner. Stillfurther, the organization or arrangement of the processing of thenotification message processing 300 shown in FIG. 3 is illustrative andthus not required. For example, the order of evaluating the decisions isnot limited to that shown in FIG. 3. In other words, the notificationmessage processing 300 can vary with implementation.

As an illustration regarding notification, the shipping conditionsinformation can provide chemical related feedback or notificationinformation based on chemical substances being sensed within the packageor object being shipped. For example, a chemical sensor can be providedwithin the mobile tracking device to sense chemical compositions (e.g.,gaseous components).

With respect to the notification criteria utilized to determine whennotifications are to be sent, a user can configure those notificationsdesired and the particular conditions for such notifications. Forexample, a user can configure notifications by interacting with a website to set the notification criteria.

Although the notifications often are sent to the sender or recipient ofthe package or article being shipped, the notifications can also be sentor forwarded to third parties. One particular third party is, forexample, an insurance representative. The notification can indicate thatcertain shipping conditions have been violated. The notification canalso provide instructions or recommendations to take corrective action.The corrective action can, for example, include fixing the problem thatcaused the shipping conditions violation or mitigating damages caused bythe shipping conditions violation.

FIG. 4 is a flow diagram of requested notification processing 400according to one embodiment of the invention. The requested notificationprocessing 400 is, for example, performed by a server machine, such asthe tracking server 114 illustrated in FIG. 1.

The requested notification processing 400 begins with a decision 402that determines whether a status request has been received. When thedecision 402 determines that a status request has not been received, therequested notification processing 400 awaits such a request. In otherwords, the requested notification processing 400 is invoked when astatus request is received. A user (i.e., requestor) typically initiatesthe requested notification processing 400 when status information isdesired by making a status request (or notification request).

Once the decision 402 determines that a status request has beenreceived, then an identifier for the mobile tracking device isdetermined 404. The identifier serves to identify the particular mobiletracking device for which the status information is to be obtained.After the identifier is identified, status information for the mobiletracking device associated with the identifier is retrieved 406. Ifdesired, the requested notification processing 400 can further determinewhether the requestor for the status information is authorized toreceive the status information or the level of status information therequestor is authorized to receive.

After the status information has been retrieved 406, a responseincluding at least a portion of the status information is formed 408. Inone embodiment, the response being formed 408 is in the format of anelectronic mail message (email). For example, if the status request werein the form of an email message (including any text or graphical messagebeing electronically transmitted), the response could be a reply emailto the status request email message. In other embodiment, the responsebeing formed 408 can take various other formats. After the response hasbeen formed 408, the response is transmitted 410 to the requestor. Thetransmission of the response can be over a wireless and/or a wirednetwork. For example, when the format of the response is an emailmessage, the response is typically sent to a network address or emailaddress associated with the requestor that issued the status request.Following the operation 410, the requested notification processing 400is complete and ends.

FIG. 5 is a flow diagram of email status processing 500 according to oneembodiment of the invention. The email status processing 500 is, forexample, performed by a server machine, such as the tracking server 114illustrated in FIG. 1. The email status processing 500 can be considereda more detailed embodiment of the requested notification processing 400illustrated in FIG. 4.

The email status processing 500 begins with a decision 502 thatdetermines whether an email status request has been received 502 from arequestor. When the decision 502 determines that an email status requesthas not been received, then the email status processing 500 awaits sucha request. Once the decision 502 determines that an email status requesthas been received, then the email status request is parsed 504 to get areference number and requestor information.

Next, a decision 506 determines whether the requestor is authorized.Here, the determination of whether or not the requestor is authorizedcan be performed using some or all of the requestor information and thereference number for the mobile tracking device of interest. When thedecision 506 determines that the requestor is not authorized, then aninformation unavailable reply message is sent 508 to the requestor.

When the decision 506 determines that the requestor is authorized, themobile tracking device is determined 510 based on the reference number.As an example, the reference number can be an identifier that is used byusers to identify the mobile tracking device they are desirous oftracking. Internally the system may use the reference number or anotheridentifier. The reference number may be a fixed number or are-assignable number that specifies a particular mobile tracking device.For example, the reference number can be a telephone number or networkaddress used by the mobile tracking device for communications.

After the mobile tracking device has been determined 510, the statusinformation for the determined mobile tracking device is retrieved 512.In one embodiment, the status information is retrieved 512 from adatabase that stores status information for a plurality of mobiletracking devices. The database is, for example, the tracking database116 illustrated in FIG. 1.

Next, a decision 514 determines whether the requested response ispermitted. In other words, although the requestor is permitted to accessthe status information, the type of response that is permitted to besupplied to the requestor could be limited. Hence, when the decision 514determines that the requested response is not permitted, then arequested response unavailable message is sent 516 to the requestor. Onthe other hand, when the decision 514 determines that the requestedresponse is permitted, then a response message is produced and sent 518to the requestor. In one embodiment, the message can take differentformats depending upon a user's configuration requests or thedestination for the response. Following the operation 518, as well asfollowing the operations 508 and 516, the email status processing 500ends.

A web interface (or Graphical User Interface) can be made available tousers. The web interface can, among other things, assist a user withconfiguring notifications for themselves or others. One embodiment ofsuch a web interface is referred to as a notification setup screen.

FIG. 6 is a representative notification setup screen 600 according toone embodiment of the invention. The notification setup screen 600 is,for example, displayed on a display device associated with a user'scomputer. The notification setup screen 600 would be presented on thedisplay device of the user's computer when the user desires to configurethe notification system to provide certain automated notifications. Asan example, a network browser application operating on the user'scomputer can present the notification setup screen 600 and interfacethereby with the tracking server 114 to configure the notificationsystem. The user can, for example, be the shipper 102, the recipient 104or the third-party 118 illustrated in FIG. 1.

The notification setup screen 600 includes a notification format region602, a notification destination region 604, and a notification criteriaregion 606. These regions are portions of the notification setup screenwhich is often a window displayed on a display device as a graphicaluser interface. The notification format region 602 is a region thatallows the user to select a notification channel (format). In theexample, shown in FIG. 6, the user is able to select one of email, pageor facsimile as the notification channel. The notification destinationregion 604 is a region that allows the user to specify one or moredestinations. The destination can be an email address, a networkaddress, a telephone number, or a facsimile number. The notificationcriteria region 606 is a region that allows the user to select, enter orotherwise choose notification criteria. The notification criteria setwhen and/or what notification are sent to the recipient users. Thenotification criteria can, for example, enable a user to specify thatnotifications are to be sent based on position, delivery or otherconditions. For example, the notifications regarding position can beconfigured to be sent periodically (e.g., hourly, daily, weekly, etc.)or based on a distance traversed (e.g., every 1, 5, 10, 50 or 100miles). For example, the notifications regarding delivery can beconfigured to be sent on delivery of the article/object to adestination, or when delivery is impending (i.e., article/object isproximate to the destination). For example, the notification regardingconditions of the shipment can be initiated periodically or on-event. Inthe representative example shown in FIG. 6, the notification can beperiodic (e.g., hourly, daily, weekly, etc.) or can be when an extremecondition occurs, such as temperature exceeding a threshold temperatureor a force exceeding a threshold amount.

Regardless of how the notification is triggered, the content of thenotification could include merely status information about the conditioncausing the trigger, or could also include other current statusinformation. For example, a periodic position notification could alsoinclude other status information besides position information. Likewise,a periodic condition notification could include other conditioninformation (e.g., temperature, force, etc.) as well as positioninformation.

Further, different channels, types or criteria can be used to providenotifications to different recipients. Hence, the notification can becustomized for different users, namely, shippers, recipients andthird-parties.

The web interface used to configure notification is not limited to thenotification setup screen 600 illustrated in FIG. 6. Instead, the webinterface can take a variety of different forms. It may use defaults,preferences (e.g., user-specified or inferred from prior actions), orother means to assist the user in interfacing with the web interface.

The notifications provided by the invention can be informative and/orinstructive. The informative nature of the notifications reflects theinclusion of status information in the notification. The instructivenature of the notifications can reflect instructions or requests forcorrective action to remedy dangerous or unwanted status of theshipment. For example, if a shipment is reaching dangerously hightemperatures, the shipping company can be notified of the present oranticipated problem and request corrective action to remedy thesituation. Further, the status information history for the shipment ofthe article can be made available so an interested user can evaluatewhere a problem occurred, how it occurred, and who was at fault.

When shipping an article, a shipper might insure the shipment. Theinsurance could, for example, be provided by the shipping entity or athird party. The insurance could insure against certain insuredcriteria, such as delivery by a deadline, damage to the article,exposure of the article to an unaccepted environmental conditions, etc.Notifications concerning violations (or non-violations) of insuredcriteria can be automatically provided to interested users.

FIG. 7 is a flow diagram of insurance compliance processing 700according to one embodiment of the invention. The insurance complianceprocessing 700 can, for example, allow notification messages to beautomatically sent to interested users (e.g., shipping entity, shipper,or insurance representative).

The insurance compliance processing 700 receives 702 status informationfor an article from a mobile communication device. As noted above, atleast in one embodiment, the status information includes at leastposition (location) information and shipping conditions information. Inaddition, insured criteria pertaining to the shipment of the article isreceived 704. The insured criteria are typically dependent on insurancepolicy coverage placed on the article. Next, the status information iscompared 706 with the insured criteria. A decision 708 then determineswhether a notification condition exists. In one implementation, anotification condition exists when the status information indicates thatone or more insured criteria have been breached. In anotherimplementation, an interested user can configure the system to setnotification conditions associated with status conditions and insuredcriteria. When the decision 708 determines that a notification conditionexists, then a notification message is produced 710. The notificationmessage is then sent 712 to an interested user. After the notificationmessage is sent 712, the insurance compliance processing 700 is completeand ends. Alternatively, when the decision 708 determines that anotification condition does not exist, then the operations 710 and 712are bypassed and the insurance compliance processing 700 ends.

In the course of shipping an article, a shipping entity might haveagreed to deliver the article to a destination within a prescribedperiod of time. The failure of the shipping entity to meet this or anyother condition can entitle the sender or recipient to a refund of someof all of the costs the sender incurred in shipping the article.Typically, the party that originally paid for the costs of the shippingwould normally be the party that receives the refund. The discussionprovided below primarily assumes that the sender is the party that wouldreceive any refund, though such is not a limitation.

FIG. 8 is a flow diagram of refund processing 800 according to oneembodiment of the invention. The refund processing 800 serves toautomatically request and process refunds on behalf of senders, andtheir refunds with respect to shipping entities.

The refund processing 800 begins by receiving 802 status informationpertaining to a package (i.e., article). The package is being shipped toa recipient. The sender is utilizing a carrier (i.e., shipping entity)to perform the shipping function to deliver the package to therecipient. A decision 804 determines whether there are any guaranteedconditions associated with the shipment that have not been satisfied.Here, the status information can be utilized to determine whether one ormore of the guaranteed conditions are not satisfied. The guaranteedconditions are typically associated with a shipping agreement betweenthe sender and the shipping entity. In one embodiment, one guaranteedcondition of a shipment is a guaranteed delivery time. When the decision804 determines that one or more guaranteed conditions of the shipmenthave not been satisfied, then a refund request is prepared 806 torecover some or all of the cost to ship the package. Next, the refundrequest is electronically submitted 808 to the shipping entity. Thesubmission to the shipping entity can be done using a general address, aspecial address associated with refunds, or it could be an agent'saddress that is utilized to process the refund request for the shippingentity. Further, the electronic submission 808 can be performed throughelectronic mail, facsimile transmission, or FTP transmission. After therefund request has been electronically submitted 808, the user (sender)is notified 810 that the refund request has been submitted. On the otherhand, when the decision 804 determines that all guaranteed conditionshave (so far) been satisfied, then the operations 806-810 are bypassed.Following the operation 810, the refund processing 800 is complete andends.

Additionally, the refund processing could also further monitor theprocessing of a refund request by the shipping entity. For example,after submission of the refund request, the refund processing canexamine whether the refund associated with the refund request has beenreceived. Further, additional monitoring could be performed to determinethat the receipt of the refund request has been received, the stage ofits processing by the shipping entity, or other refund relatedinformation. Furthermore, the user (sender) can be notified when therefund monies have been received. These refund monies can beelectronically transmitted to the sender or can be placed in an accountthat is associated with the sender.

The refund processing can be initiated in a variety of different ways.For example, the refund processing can be triggered by the arrival ofthe package at its destination. Alternatively, the refund processingcould be performed whenever a guaranteed condition is not met, such asthe guaranteed delivery time has been exceeded. As yet anotheralternative, the refund processing can be performed as statusinformation is updated or as processing resources are available.

The invention is suitable for asset management, such as trackinglocation/position of assets and monitoring conditions of assets. Assetscan, for example, include: packages, purchased goods, movingboxes/creates, and pallets.

The position resolution can be enhanced through use of a communitylayout and/or profile information.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram of an object tracking system 900 according toone embodiment of the invention. The object tracking system 900 can beused to track various objects including packages, humans, pets and thelike. The object tracking system 900 includes a plurality of wirelessdevices 902. These wireless devices 902 are provided with or proximateto objects being tracked by the object tracking system 900. These mobiledevices 902 have GPS receivers that can receive GPS position informationfrom a GPS system 903. The acquisition of such position information canbe performed on demand, periodically or on need. The mobile devices 902communicate over wireless links with a wireless network 904. Thewireless network 904 then couples to a wired network 906. A locationmanagement server 908 is coupled to the wireless network 906. Thelocation management server 908 provides centralized storage of thelocation information for each of the mobile devices 902 in a locationdatabase 910. A map database 912 is also coupled to the locationmanagement server 908. The map database 912 can directly connect to thelocation management server 908 or can reside elsewhere on the wirednetwork 906. The location management server 908 can interact with themap database 912 to convert position information provided by the GPSinformation into map coordinates, street addresses, etc.

In addition, the object tracking system 900 also includes a communitylayout server 914. The community layout server 914 can be coupled to thewired network 906 or the wireless network 904. In one embodiment, acommunity can be associated with a commercial building, a shopping mall,a residential community and the like. The community layout server 914interacts with a community layout database 916 to resolve locations,such as street addresses and cross streets, into more intelligiblelocations in a community. For example, instead of a street address, thelocations can pertain to points of interest with respect to thecommunity. As an illustration, in the case of a commercial building,with five floors, the community layout database 916 would convert theGPS information (plus any additional sensor information relevant tomaking the determination also provided by the mobile device 902, such asaltitude and direction) to obtain a community location or point ofinterest. For example, using the GPS position information together withother sensor information, the community layout server 914 can interactwith the community layout database 916 to precisely locate a particularmobile device 902 to a particular point of interest. In the case of thecommercial building with five floors, the mobile device 902 can bepinpointed to the third floor which pertains to the corporation Acme,Inc. The point of interest or community position can then be sent fromthe community layout server 914 through the wired network 906 to thelocation management server 908 which then in turn stores the communityposition or point of interest in the location database 910 as theposition of the particular mobile device 902.

Once the location database 910 has the positions of the mobile devices902, when subsequent position data is sent to the location managementserver 908, these positions are suitably updated in the locationdatabase 910. Additionally, other of the mobile devices 902 or arepresentative client machine 918 coupled through an Internet ServiceProvider (ISP) 920 to the wired network 906 can be permitted to accessthe locations of one or more of the mobile devices 902. Assuming thatthe requesting party is allowed access to said position information, therequest for such information is processed by the location managementserver 908. When permission is granted, the locations desired areretrieved from the location database 910 and returned to either therequesting mobile devices 902 or the requesting client machine 918. In asimilar manner, access to other non-location information (i.e.,additional sensor information or conditions information) pertaining tothe mobile devices 902 can be available.

In one embodiment, the client machine 918 or a particular one of themobile devices 902 can set up a private or semi-private web page that ishosted by a server (e.g., the location management server 908 or otherserver) on the wired network 906. Then, the page can be customized tomonitor the location of a number of the mobile devices 902. Hence,thereafter, the requestor need only access the customized web page toobtain the current position information for such mobile devices. Withsuch an embodiment, a web page could be provided to track a plurality ofpackages being transported from a warehouse to a customer. In anotherembodiment, a similar web page can be setup to allow a parent to trackthe position of mobile devices that are affixed to his children suchthat the parent can easily monitor the position of his children. In thisexample, the object tracked is a living being (e.g., person).

The object tracking system 900 could also be augmented by wirelessprofile devices 922. These profile devices 922 can wirelessly couple tothe mobile devices 902 using the wireless network 904. The profiledevices 922 could be short range transmitters or transceivers. Theprofile devices 922 could store one or more profiles for a particularlocation in which they reside.

Hence, the mobile device 902 can wirelessly communicate with the profiledevice 922, if available, to acquire a profile pertaining to itslocation. For example, with the profile device 922 placed in the officebuilding of Acme, Inc., when the mobile device 902 is in such officebuilding, the mobile device 902 can acquire the profile from theproximate profile device 922. The profile can include the business name,its location, contact information for the business, etc. Thereafter,some or all of the profile information can be stored in the mobiledevice 902 and/or forwarded to the location management server 908 orother server for storage. Hence, the location provided by the profilemay be more exacting and descriptive than the GPS position, such thatthe location of the mobile device 902 can be better determined.

In some cases it may be useful to control or limit the wirelesscommunications with respect to the profile devices 922 so that themobile devices 902 do not inadvertently receive the wrong profile.Various techniques can be utilized to provide control over the wirelesscommunications. For example, the profile device 922 may or may not use adirectional antenna. As another example, the profile device 922 couldalso control (e.g., limit) its transmission power.

In one embodiment of package tracking and monitoring, a GPS-enabledmobile device is attached to a package. As the package travels, themobile device periodically sends its position information wirelessly toa center. This can be done, for example, through a cellular connection.The center keeps track of the package's location, and can post its pathon a Web site. A user might have to pay to access the locationinformation. For example, at 3 am in the morning, the user can log intothe site, and enter a password to find out that the package is on the9th floor of the Empire State Building (e.g., it destination), or moreparticularly the package is at the office of Acme, Inc. on the 9th floorof the Empire State Building.

In one embodiment, in addition to position information, otheridentifying information can also be automatically included based onradio frequency identification (RFID) tags. The RFID tags typicallyinclude memory chips equipped and radio antennas. They can be attachedto objects (or people) to transmit data about the objects. Typically,the memory chips do not include tremendous amount of information. Theymay only have 2 kilobytes of data, sufficient to encode, such as aserial number, where and when the product was manufactured, and otherrelevant information. These tags can come in a number of configurations.For example, an active tag uses a battery-powered transponder to emit aconstant signal carrying the identifying information programmed into thechip. Active tags are more applicable to situations where readers arenot close to the tags. A semi-passive tag likewise has a battery, butmay not be activated until it receives a signal from a reader. They aremore applicable to situations that do not need continuous tracking. Apassive tag has no battery; its antenna extracts power from the reader'sradio wave signal to transmit the identifying information on the chip.Passive tags are typically relatively inexpensive, but may have to bewithin a few feet of a reader to extract power. The tags can provideidentifying information to the corresponding positioning information,which may also include temporal information. Together, the location andidentification of assets can be automatically tracked.

In still another embodiment, personalized asset management or objecttracking can be provided. For example, a user can track a package orobject being shipped at her convenience. Such tracking can be achievedindependent of a shipping entity that ships the package. Arepresentative scenario is as follows. A user acquires a location-aware(e.g., GPS-aware) mobile communication device, such as alimited-functionality mobile telephone or 2-way pager, and places themobile communication device in or on the package or object. The usermakes note of the identifier for the mobile communication device. Then,periodically or on-demand, the user can determine the precise locationof her package. In one implementation, the user (or a server on theuser's behalf) sends a message to the mobile communication object. Themessage can be a voice or text message, or other form of data, thatsimply requests the mobile communication device to get its presentlocation. The mobile communication device then determines its location.The mobile communication device can determine its location, for example,by directly using a GPS receiver or indirectly via another device in itsimmediate vicinity having GPS awareness. Further, battery lifetime canbe conserved using the intelligent GPS information acquisitionapproaches noted in U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/375,998.The mobile communication device then replies back (e.g., through voiceor text message) to the user (or server) to inform of its presentlocation. The user can, for example, call or page the mobilecommunication device and get the reply message. Alternatively, the userneed only access the server to access the location data it holds for thepackage or object associated with the mobile communication device. Theserver can also automatically track these mobile communication deviceand alert the users when problems or delays in its transport areidentified. Further, alerts or message could notify a recipient orsender of an object or package when the same is determined to bein-route, arrived at and/or proximate to its destination. Besideslocation, the reply message could also provide other information such asvelocity, temperature, humidity, pressure, forces or stresses.

In one embodiment, the mobile device (mobile tracking device or mobilecommunication device) can include a solar panel. The solar panel canprovide electrical power for the mobile device. The solar panel can thuscharge a battery used to power the mobile device and/or itself power themobile device. When the mobile device is affixed to an object (e.g.,package) to be shipped, the solar panel can remain at least partiallyexposed to the outside of the object so as to be able to receive light.The solar panel can be integrated with the housing of the mobile deviceor can be separate and couple to the mobile device via one or more wires(e.g., a cable).

The present invention has described one or more GPS devices as toidentify a location. However, the present invention is not limited tousing GPS devices. In certain situations, other wireless or mobiledevices can also serve as location-designating devices, such as devicesbased on GSM technologies or Wi-Fi technologies. Through the techniquesof triangulation, these devices can also designate a location. Suchtriangulation techniques should be known to those skilled in the art.

The above-described systems, devices, methods and processes can be usedtogether with other aspects of an object tracking system, including thevarious aspects described in: (i) U.S. Provisional Patent ApplicationNo. 60/444,198, filed Jan. 30, 2003, and entitled “SYSTEM, METHOD ANDAPPARATUS FOR ACQUIRING, PRESENTING, MONITORING, DELIVERING, MANAGINGAND USING STATUS INFORMATION,” which is hereby incorporated herein byreference; (ii) U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/418,491,filed Oct. 15, 2002, and entitled “SYSTEM, METHOD AND APPARATUS FORACQUIRING, PRESENTING, MONITORING, DELIVERING, MANAGING AND USING STATUSINFORMATION,” which is hereby incorporated herein by reference; (iii)U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/404,645, filed Aug. 19, 2002,and entitled “SYSTEM, METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ACQUIRING, PRESENTING,MONITORING, DELIVERING, MANAGING AND USING POSITION AND OTHERINFORMATION,” which is hereby incorporated herein by reference; and (iv)U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/375,998, filed Apr. 24, 2002,and entitled “SYSTEM, METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ACQUIRING, PRESENTING,MANAGING AND USING POSITION INFORMATION,” which is hereby incorporatedherein by reference.

The various embodiments, implementations and features of the inventionnoted above can be combined in various ways or used separately. Thoseskilled in the art will understand from the description that theinvention can be equally applied to or used in other various differentsettings with respect to various combinations, embodiments,implementations or features provided in the description herein.

The invention can be implemented in software, hardware or a combinationof hardware and software. The invention can also be embodied as computerreadable code on a computer readable medium. The computer readablemedium is any data storage device that can store data which canthereafter be read by a computer system. Examples of the computerreadable medium include read-only memory, random-access memory, CD-ROMs,magnetic tape, optical data storage devices, and carrier waves. Thecomputer readable medium can also be distributed over network-coupledcomputer systems so that the computer readable code is stored andexecuted in a distributed fashion.

The advantages of the invention are numerous. Different embodiments orimplementations may yield different advantages. One advantage of theinvention is that interested persons can track and/or be notified as tostatus of an object. Another advantage of the invention is that statusof an object can be monitored such that not only position informationbut also shipping conditions information are able to be monitored duringshipment. Still another advantage of the invention is that statusinformation of an object being transported can be obtained by aninterested party (e.g., shipper, recipient or third-party) throughnotifications or through access to a website (e.g., tracking server).

The many features and advantages of the present invention are apparentfrom the written description and, thus, it is intended by the appendedclaims to cover all such features and advantages of the invention.Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur tothose skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention tothe exact construction and operation as illustrated and described.Hence, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to asfalling within the scope of the invention.

1. A system for tracking shipment of articles, comprising: a trackingdatabase configured to store status information pertaining to aplurality of wireless tracking devices; and a tracking computing deviceconfigured to: (i) receive certain status information from a wirelesstracking device used to track shipment of an article, the wirelesstracking device being within or affixed to the article and being capableof wirelessly sending the certain status information to the trackingcomputing device; (ii) store the certain status information to thetracking database with reference to the wireless tracking device; (iii)determine if an environmental violation has occurred based on thecertain status information and at least one environmental level; (iv)send an electronic notification regarding the environmental violation toan interested person upon determining that the environmental violationhas occurred; and (v) facilitate network-based access to the trackingcomputing device to enable interested persons to receive at least aportion of the certain status information regarding the article.
 2. Asystem as recited in claim 1, wherein the certain status informationbeing received includes position information and shipping conditioninformation.
 3. A system as recited in claim 1, wherein the certainstatus information being received includes position informationpertaining to position of the wireless tracking device.
 4. A system asrecited in claim 3, wherein the position information includes at leastdata acquired from a GPS receiver within the wireless tracking device.5. A system as recited in claim 3, wherein the position informationincludes at least local network information.
 6. A system as recited inclaim 1, wherein the certain status information being received from thewireless tracking device includes shipping condition information.
 7. Asystem as recited in claim 6, wherein the tracking computing deviceoperates, at least during the shipment of the article, to determinewhether the environmental violation has occurred based at least in parton the shipping condition information.
 8. A system as recited in claim7, wherein if the environmental violation is determined to haveoccurred, the electronic notification indicates that a temperaturerelated to the article has exceeded a predetermined level.
 9. A systemas recited in claim 7, wherein if the environmental violation isdetermined to have occurred, the electronic notification indicates thata humidity related to the article has exceeded a predetermined level.10. A system as recited in claim 7, wherein if the environmentalviolation is determined to have occurred, the electronic notificationindicates that an acceleration or a force induced on the article hasexceeded a predetermined level.
 11. A system as recited in claim 1,wherein, when the article is in a geographic region, the trackingcomputing device is configured to receive business information regardinga business associated with a position in the geographic region based onwireless communication between the wireless tracking device and awireless device at the business.
 12. A system as recited in claim 11,wherein the certain status information being received includes positioninformation pertaining to position of the wireless tracking device, andwherein the tracking computing device is configured to transform theposition information into a point of interest based on informationregarding the geographic region stored in a database.
 13. A method fortracking shipment of articles using wireless tracking devices providedwithin or affixed to the respective articles, the method comprising:accessing status information pertaining to a wireless tracking deviceused to track shipment of an article, the status information includingat least position information and shipping condition information;determining if a shipping condition violation has occurred duringshipment of the article based on at least the shipping conditioninformation and at least one shipping condition level; sending anelectronic notification regarding the shipping condition violation to aninterested person if it is determined that the shipping conditionviolation has occurred during shipment; and facilitating network-basedaccess to enable interested persons to receive at least a portion of thestatus information regarding the article.
 14. A method for trackingshipment as recited in claim 13, wherein the shipping conditionviolation pertains to an environmental violation, and wherein the atleast one shipping condition level pertains to an environmental level.15. A computer-implemented method for operating a tracking computer totrack articles in a geographic region, the tracking computer having adata storage device associated therewith, comprising: receiving locationinformation regarding a location of an article acquired by a mobilecommunication device in or attached to the article; receiving, from themobile communication device, business information regarding a businessassociated with the location based on wireless communication between themobile communication device and a wireless device at the business; andstoring the location information and the business information in thedata storage device associated with the tracking computer, wherein themobile communication device is configured to be wirelessly coupled to awireless network to send the location information and the businessinformation to the tracking computer.
 16. A computer-implemented methodas recited in claim 15, wherein the method further comprises:transforming the location information into a point of interest based oninformation regarding the geographic region stored in a database.